Indexing table



R. J. JOY

INDEXING TABLE Feb. 16, 1954 Filed Oct. 20, 1951 member.

Patented Feb. 16, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Richard 1-30,), Montebello, Quebec, Ganada Application October 20, 1951, ScrialNo. 252,315

The present invention relates to indexin tables and more particularly to tables of this ,nature having a rotating article suppoitin top.

,In general, indexing tables of this nature consist of a stand or base, a top that is mounted for rotation on the base, some form of power means to rotate the top, and control means whereby the table maybe stopped at predator mined points. Usually a plurality of containers or compartments are mounted on the table top inspaced apart relationship so as to present their tcontentsin sequence at each stopping point.

Insofar as the applicant is aware, there is one common "feature with all prior art constructions of tables of this nature in that the table tops are mounted on theirrespective bases so as to revolve about aciixed vertical axis in a'fixed horizontal- ,plane. The control means employed generally actuate .a movable cletent or stopping into contact with the table top or associated linkage to achieve the desired stopping action. For example, a common practice is to have a foot operated pedal move a detent into engagement with a plurality of spaced apart stops arranged beneath the table top.

The present invention consists of an indexing table which includes a base, a supporting table mounted for horizontal rotation on the base, a flexible connecting means'between the base and thetop to allow for limited angular movement of the table top relative to the base, and adjustable control means between the table and base whereby the rotational movement of the table top maybe stopped at and moved from predetermined points by a tilting movement of the table top from a'horizontal plane relative to the base. i

More specifically, a preferred construction of an indexing table in accordance with the invention consists of a base, a powermeans mounts on .the base, a vertical shaft connected to the power means with the supporting top mounted for horizontal rotation on the upper end of the shaft. The connection between the shaft end vand table consists of .a flexible coupling which .also servesasfriction drive so that the table top is normally tending to rotation under the in .fluence of the power means. The flexible coupling also allows the table top to be tilted from.

the normal horizontal plane under slight manual pressure.

.The table top is provided withaseries of radial- .lyspaced apartslots each oiwhich is adapted :to receive an elongated retaining and stopping The retaining "members are each 8 Claims. (01. Zn-58") 7 a mounted to the lower surface of one of .a plurality of containers or baskets adapted to hold the articles which are to be indexed. Each of the retaining members are disposed so as to extend downwardly from each container at an angle so that. thelower end of the member is in substantial alignment with the front of the container but considerably spaced apart therefrom. With this, arrangement, when the containers are mounted on the table top the retaining members extend through the slots and beyond the lower surface of the table top .to constitutespaced apart detents, thelower outer edge .of whichis spaced apart from the lower surface of the-table. An adjustable brake arm or brake member is mounted on the base or motor so as to extend upwardly into the path of the retaining members or detents. The detent engaging portion .of the brake arm is shaped and located so as to engage the lower end only of the retaining members protruding from thetable top when the top is in normal horizontal position and to pass between the outer end of the detent and the lowersurface .of the table when the table is tilted.

supporting shaft.

Having thus generally described the nature of the invention, particular reference will be made to the accompanying drawings illustrating a preferred embodiment thereof, and in which:

Figure .1 .is a view in plan of an indexing table constructed in accordance with the invention.

Fi ure 2 is a view in side elevation of the construction shown in Figur 1.

Figure 3 is .a view corresponding" to Figure 2 with the tabletop tilted to clear the detentsfrom the adjustable brake arm.

Figure 4 is a sectional view oiF gure .1 alon the line 4-4 to illustrate in more detail the flexible drive connection between the table top and Figure 5 isanenlarged detail view of a portion of the table top andbraike arm to illustrate the construction more clearly.

Figure 6 is an enlargedsectional view of a portion of .Figure :1 along the line ii6 to illustrate the construction of one of the containers in more detail.

With particular reference .to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings a preferred construction .of an indexing table in accordance with the invention includes a base It, a motor housing It, a shaft I 4 extending vertically from the housing 42 and Ian article supporting table top itjmonnte d on the $1917 .18.

A suitable motor or spring (not shown) is positioned within the housing l2 and is connected to the shaft I4 so as to exert continuous or intermittent tension. The table top i6 is mounted on the upper end of the shaft I4 for friction drive rotation by the rotation of the shaft [4 through the flexible drive connection I8. The flexible drive connection I8 is made up of a pair of rounded lock-members 20 which are mounted on the shaft 14 above and below the table top 16 with annular rubber gaskets 22, 24 sandwiched therebetween. The gasket 22 is provided with a lower extended portion 22a of reduced diameter. The top l6 includes a central opening 26 of greater diameter than the shaft [4 adapted to accommodate the lower portion 22a of the upper gasket 22. The gasket 24 is mounted on the shaft l4 beneath the table top 16 so as to engage the lower surface of the top 16 and the portion 22a of the upper gasket. The gasket engaging ends of the lock-members 20 are of substantially hemispherical contour so as to give the necessary flexibility to the connection and toserve as friction drive members against the gaskets 22, 24

when the shaft :4 is rotated. The lock-members 20 are secured to the shaft M by set screws 2i so that they may be adjusted axially of the shaft M to exert the desired friction contact.

A plurality of baskets or containers 3!! are mounted on the table top 16 by means of elongated formed plates or retaining members 32 which are mounted beneath each container 39 so as to have a free portion 33 extend downwardly therefrom at an angle extending from rear to front of each container. The table top I6 is provided with a plurality of radially spaced 1 apart slots 34 and the retaining member portion 33 on each container 3 is inserted in one of the slots H so as to extend through and extend below the table top [6, see Figures 5 and 6.

With this arrangement, when the containers .38 are mounted on the table top I6 the portions 33 of the retaining members 32 protrude diagonally from the lower surface of the top IE to constitute a series of spaced apart detents the outer ends of which are spaced apart from the lower surface of the top It. A brake arm 36 is mounted on the housing i2 so as to extend outwardly and upwardly therefrom placing an upper end 3! in the path of the detents formed by the retaining members 32. The brake arm 36 is made adjustable as to outward radial position by means of a telescoping joint 38 held by a. wing bolt 38 and the upper end 3? is shaped so as to be adapt- 'ed to pass between the lower outer ends of the members 32 and. the lower surface of the table top l5 when the top l6is tilted from the normal horizontal position.

In use, the operator stands or sits on the side of the table adjacent the braking arm 36. As he withdraws an article from the container 38 nearest him, the pressure of his hand tilts the table releasing the engaged detent or retaining member portion 33 from the end 31 of the brake arm 36. Upon release of the portion 33 the table l6 under the influence of the driven shaft l4 rotates to bring the next container 30 under his hand.

The release of the table top l6 bythe removal of the operators hand allows it to return to the normal horizontal position bringing the next member portion 33 into engagement with the end 31' of the brake arm 35. In this manner, the operator can pick up a series of objects, in given order, without moving from his position or the necessity of actuating any additional controls.

As is shown in detail in Figure 6, the containdownwards towards the rear of the container, or

the shaft l4 when the container 30 is mounted, so as to counteract the centrifugal force exerted on the contents of the container when the table top rotates.

As will be understood by the preceding description and accompanying drawing, indexing tables may be constructed in accordance with the invention in any desired size and with any required number of containers. The simple design featuring the tiltable top eliminates the necessity for supplementary stopping controls making it an easy and economical item for manufacture.

I claim:

1. An indexing table comprising, a base, a shaft extending vertically from said base, a supporting top mounted on said shaft at substantially right angles to the axis of said shaft, means on said supporting top to retain thereon a, plurality of article holdingcompartments in spaced apart relationship, flexibleconnecting means between said shaft and supporting top to allow for limited angular movement of said top relative to the axis of said shaft, an adjustable control means for stopping said top at predetermined points relative to said base upon angular movement of said top relative to the axis of said shaft.

2. An indexing table as claimed in claim 1, wherein said flexible connecting means comprises resilient members mounted on said shaft and frictionally engaging said table top and rigid friction drive members mounted on said shaft and frictionally contacting said resilient members.

3. An indexing table comprising, a fixed base,

.a'shaft extending vertically from said base, drive means connected to said shaft, a supporting top mounted on said shaft at substantially right means between said shaft and supporting top whereby rotation of said shaft tends to rotate said top and to allow for limited angular movement of said top relative to the axis of said shaft, an adjustable control means between said supporting top and base for stopping said top at predetermined points relative to said base upon angular movement of said top relative to the axis of said shaft.

4. An indexing table .as claimed in claim 3, wherein said flexible connecting means comprises resilient members mounted on said shaft and frictionally engaging said table top and rigid friction drive members mounted on said shaft and frictionally contacting said resilient mem:

bers,

5. An indexing table as claimed in claim 3, wherein said adjustable control means comprises a plurality of removable elongated detent members mounted on said table in radially spaced apart relationship so as to extend diagonally downwards therefrom, and a brake arm extending from said base and having a projecting end disposed in the path of said detent members.

6. An indexing table construction comprising. a fixed base, a shaft extending vertically from said base, driving means adapted to normally exert a rotating influence on said shaft, a supporting table top mounted on said shaft for rotation at substantially right angles to the axis of said-shaft, a flexible friction drive connection aeeasea between said shaft and table top adapted to exert a rotating torsion on said table top and to allow for a limited angular movement of said table top relative to said shaft, a plurality of detent members mounted on said table to so as to extend downwardly and outwardly beneath said table top in radially spaced apart relationship, and a brake member mounted on said base having a projecting end disposed in the path of said detent members, whereby when rotation of said table top through said shaft brings one of said detent members into braking contact with said brake arm end, tilting of said table top releases said first named detent and brings a following detent member into braking contact.

7. An indexing table construction as claimed in claim 5 wherein said table to includes a plurality of slots therethrough in radially spaced apart relationship, said detent members each fitting into and being retained in one of said slots.

8. An indexing table construction as claimed in claim 5 wherein said friction drive connection between said table top and shaft comprises, a plurality of resilient members mounted on said shaft in frictional engagement with said table top and a plurality of friction drive members References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 131,671 Eils Sept, 24, 1872 1,372,100 Sifiert Mar. 22, 1921 1,468,247 Patten Sept. 18, 1923 1,526,811 Strauss Feb. 17, 1925 1,573,996 Preddey Feb. 23, 1926 1,655,768 Jones Jan. 10, 1928 2,106,737 Haire Feb. 1, 1938 2,146,253 Erwood Feb. '7, 1939 2,179,959 Schroedter Nov. 14, 1939 1 2,209,858 1940 Steiert July 30, 

